Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd like anyone's opinion to this.Everyone can help in this,in their own way of course.
Once again I post in this forum because as I told before I believe that chameleon keepers are one of the most expierienced in the hobby.They past through several reptiles,choosing the most demanding one of all because of the thrills you get when succeding in something very demanding.Of cource it doesn't mean that chameleon keepers keep only chameleons nor that no other reptile is interesting.
Anyhow,I keep an adult green iguana,a leopard gecko,a phelsuma m.grandis and a veiled chameleon.I can say that I have mastered their keeping and keeping them always at optimum condition.A possible exception might be the chameleon since I'm still learning.I'm a perfectionist and actually suffer when something is not properly cared of.
The point of this conversation is that I'm starting to find this difficult to manage keeping all those pets.I know that many of you have much more than I do and are fine.We are used to talk about our happy moments,events etc.. but I have never heard anyone complaining that he spent all weekend building his/her own cage for his/her new chameleon.Of course this is part of the fun but it doesn't stop taking effort.There's no way I'm giving up on the hobby or something but as I was browsing on some complicated dart frog terrariums last night,I said this is definately what I'm going for next.I mean when does this stop,or better how can you keep the balance in your life when having so much to take care of.Up to now I'm fine but I don't know about the future...
I was thinking that perhaps there's a secreat recipe that I don't know..
Anyway I'm looking forward in seeing any of your replies on this,just your point of view.
Thanks a lot

Everyone has different "tolerances". Some people can keep 10 chams plus other pets and be fine. I know that would drive me crazy. One cham is too "easy" for me, 5 is about right. You have to learn for yourself what is the right sized zoo that fits your work or school schedule and other family stuff that is also going on. It also helps to have multiple animals who's care is similar so your daily routine is a bit more predictable. Automate everything you can...timers for lights and misters etc. You know, dusting insects for everyone rather than having to chop fresh salad for your ig, clean a turtle or frog tank plus spray the chams and attend to their plants. My rule of thumb when I'm thinking about a new animal is to go with my gut...if I have any doubts about how much daily care it will need and my learning curve, I pass it up and wait until my zoo is smaller.

Well, for me, I just keep the two chams, 3 leopard geckos, and a chinchilla and dog. That is easy enough for me with my 1 year old. I want to get a few more pets in the next year or so, but only one or two. But as for me, usually I like to be extremely busy with my animals... I thrive on moving all the time, and being busy... unless I am pregnant, which then for the first three months I was dead...LOL.. anyway, I think what Carlton said is true, everyone has thier own tolerance levels, and a "happy place" so just find yours... and you are right, it is fun to try more pets.. and perfection is me too. Good Luck... It's all FUN!! or well, with healthy pets it should be...

I agree with Carlton as well. It's all about tolerance. I have a routine with my animals and try to be as consistant as possible. I figured doing small things everyday makes it easier and you're not stuck trying to do all the big things in a day or two. I was a wreck when I first got everyone, I was micromanaging, trying to do everything at once, and was spending sooo much time with the herps I had almost stopped spending time with the dogs, my boyfriend, my brother. The final straw was when my dog Pearl took her frisbie and ran away. I found her about 2 miles away playing frisbie with some random guy she found in his yard. Thats when I decided to chill. Once I got on a routine I have a lot more time in the day! I try to do little things everyday. Like I go from cage to cage and clean pooh, because if you do it daily, then you won't have to do a whole take the cage the apart and hose it down once a week thing. Once you get a routine... you should be o.k....
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TFFF
(Tootie Freakin' Fruity Feenie)

I have considered dart frogs a few times and someday will get a crew, but I know right now that they would be too much work. I tend to steer clear of animals that need wetland and upland (so to speak) or high soil moisture content. I have one frog but she is fully aquatic so it is just a matter of doing regular water, & filter changes and water testing. I would also LOVE to have some turtles or tortoises someday.

I have one beardie (easy!) 1 panther cham (a lot easier than Luna, my veiled, but she had some health issues), two side-blotched lizards (easy - but I also have 5 of her eggs which will change some feeder and tank needs for awhile - never done eggs before and thank goodness there are only 5!). I also have 2 felines (my best buds.

This time of year, I raise hundreds of wild silk moths and come July when the larvae are bigger and feeding more I spend sometimes hours cleaning and changing sleeves on trees, indoor and outdoor cages, etc. May & June is mating time and July-Oct is pupating/cocoon spinning. Anytime I consider getting another herp I just remind myself how intense May-Oct can be for me and I need animals that do not require lots of care.

My one advantage is that I work at home so getting feeding, cleaning etc. done is not limited to just weekends or evening like most folks who work out of the house.

Of course, the finances has to factor in – between buying/making cages setups, lights, feeders, plants etc. it can really add up and for me The Tax Man grabs a lot of that $$ first (even more since I am self employed!)

It is good that you are questioning it now, and if you already have doubts then just wait until you are have the time, money and stamina to care for them
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info
1.0 Nosy Be Panther Chameleon - Cyrus
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
1.1 Side-blotched lizards - Ana and Stan for now
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skippy
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh, Died 4/21/06
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha, donated to science 4/4/06
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

by far the easiest to care for - so easy I forgot to even mention my little pinktoe!!
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info
1.0 Nosy Be Panther Chameleon - Cyrus
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
1.1 Side-blotched lizards - Ana and Stan for now
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skippy
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh, Died 4/21/06
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha, donated to science 4/4/06
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

I have a pair and they are soooooooo easy!! I've had the tank for 9 months and I only wipe down the sides with warm water once a month and feed them everyday. And they do a happy dance for me when they eat They wiggle the toes and bee bop the body. It's really cute! Totally easy! I'm thinking of getting a set-up for my office. I think it would be cool to have them in there!
This is a really bad picture of Bec. She was about the size of a dime when I got her, now she's about the size of a 50cent piece!

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TFFF
(Tootie Freakin' Fruity Feenie)